The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-01

away the list of electors from the printed Repub-
lican ticket and deposited the balance Of the
slip. l remember my disappointment at not
finding material enough in the transaction for
more than q few lines Of description. But then,
belonged to the old school Of Journalism
Your modern special correspondent would ask
no better basis for continuous pages OF brilliant
narrative-more power to his nimble fingers and
still more nimbe Imagination.
AS was to have been expected, the night fol-
lowing the election was the mos, exciting of my
visit The great result had long been past
doubt, but there was none the less eagerness to
learn the details. The little telegraph Office, in
the center of the town, was scene OF the liveli-
est interest, though only few individuals were
permitted to invade its privacy and get the news
fresh from the wires. AS an inevitable conse-
quence, reports of the most gigantic and impos-
sible dimensions circulated outside. The South
erners in Washington had set fire TO the
Capitol. jeff Davis had procla lined rebellion
in Mississippi and Douglas had been seized
as hostage in Alabama Blood was running IN
the streets of New York and could not be stopped.
The negroes of Virginia had risen in insurrec-
tion Buchanan had resigned the presidency.
Any person emerging from the telegraph station
and denying these and kindred rumors was set
down as having his own reasons for conceallng the
dreadful truth. AS for Mr.. Lincoln, it was, of
course. preposterous to look to him for square
statement or any statement of the facts The
privileged half dozen who went freely in and out,
being unable to confirm the catalogue of horrors,
became extremely unpopular, and were COM
PEELED to listen to unhatteriug remarks concern
ing their character, vocation, manners and ap-
| pearance.
The President elect came frequently to learn
the incoming intelligence. but it was not until
comparatively late hour that anything except
formal returns began to arrive There was
little gathering of friendly peighbors in hall
not far distant, where Mrs Lincoln sat sur
rounded by the ladies of her acquaintance, en-
| joyng her share of the triumph. Once twice
her husband looked IN upon this party. but
| did not long remain. Toward midnight
| teegraphic messages addressed directly to him
| commenced to take the place of the regular pub
| lie dispatches. Mr. Cameron was heard from
more than once with respect to the vote of Penn
| sylvania. Words of congratulation and cheer
| came from various Republican leaders in the
| Northern States. By and by the operators
! voice was heard in a less exuberant tone, read
| ing out the announcement:
Hammond and Chestnut, of South Caro-
| lima, have resigned from the United States Sen
| ate"
1t was the first note of discord to interrupt the
| general rejoicing-the first forewarning Of the
shadow to all this brightness. 1t was unexpect-
ed. too; and coming in the midst of a tempest of
| enthusiasm, sent disagreeable chill through
| most Of those who listened. A few hours later
it would not have produced so ugly a shock I
looked at DIR. Lincoln, wondering if this sharp
| reminder would bring up any sign of deeper con-
sciousness than he had thus far shown. There
was none. He received it with the same
smile he had worn all the evening while
| hearing the reiterated combinations of
| his success. Was it insensbity2 He
| fingered yet little longer, then went out into
| the street, whence he did not return-at least,
| not while / remained in the vicinity. Looking
forth. once or twice, saw him walking slowly
| up and down. quite alone, the thoroughfares be-
| ing by that time deserted. Presently started
| for my hotel with OF the citizens who had
| also waited till near the last AS passed the
solitary figure we exchanged leavetakings, and
| my companion observed:
| Quick work for those Sonth Carolina Sena-
tors, wasn't t2 Turned tail as soon as they got
| the news"
There plenty left" answered Mr.. Lin
con "A little while ago / saw a couple of
| shooting stars fall down, Kissing and sputtering.
| Plenty left for many q bright night"
Excepting for formal farewell, did not
| again see him in Springfield and l can remem-
| Der that those few midnight words, although
| weighted with no evidence of especial serious
ness, had measurable effect in softening the
| impression produced by his persistent laughing
humor 1t was, think, the first observation /
had heard from him in which no Jest was i'm
piled. Strange as it seems to me now, | look
over the abundant notes have preserved of that
| visit, during which saw Mr. Lincoln daily for
more thai a week. and often for hours at time,
| without finding the faintest foreshadowing of
| the character in which he afterward revealed
himself. Had any disaster interviewed to pre-
| vent his inauguration in 1861 should never
| have known how to persuade myself that the
| Nation had suffered an irreparable loss. Was ii
because Of my incapacity to see beneath the sur
facet WIS it because he chose to wear a mask
| Or was it, as grew to believe. that the Lincoln
| OF the war did not then exist? / shall try tC
draw no further differences but leave the ques
| ton as unsettled as it stands in my memoranda
| of twenty three years ago.